Who gets Part A and Part B automatically?
If you’re already getting benefits from Social Security, you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first day of the month, Part A and Part B will start the first day of the prior month.) If you’re under 65 and have a disability, you’ll automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits from certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months.
Who has to sign up for Part A and/or Part B?
If you’re close to 65, but NOT getting Social Security, you’ll need to sign up for Medicare. 3 months before you turn 65. Important to note: In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you may have a delay in getting Medicare coverage in the future (in some cases over a year), and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B.
What if you are still working?
If you are still working and have health insurance through your employer (or if you’re covered by your working spouse’s employer coverage), you may be able to delay signing up for Medicare. But you will need to follow the rules and must sign up for Medicare within eight months of losing your employer’s coverage to avoid significant penalties when you do eventually enroll.